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  2. PVC Pipe and Fittings

Grey PVC Pipe and Fittings

Watch:
How to Measure Pipe Dimensions (6 mins)

  • Inch (Imperial) PVC Pipe Inch (Imperial) PVC Pipe
  • Inch (Imperial) PVC Fittings and Valves Inch (Imperial) PVC Fittings and Valves
  • Metric PVC Pipe Metric PVC Pipe
  • Metric PVC Fittings and Valves Metric PVC Fittings and Valves
  • Grey Schedule 40 and 80 PVC Grey Schedule 40 and 80 PVC
  • White Inch PVC Fittings and Valves White Inch PVC Fittings and Valves
  • White 1 1-2 White 1 1-2" & 2" Pool Pipe System
  • Display (Furniture) Grade PVC Pipe and Fittings Display (Furniture) Grade PVC Pipe and Fittings
  • Clear PVC Pipe System Clear PVC Pipe System
  • Consumables - Cement, Brushes, etc Consumables - Cement, Brushes, etc
  • Miscellaneous and Tools Miscellaneous and Tools
  • EPDM Rubber Couplings EPDM Rubber Couplings
PVC Inch and Metric Pipe Industry Standards

Our industrial PVC pipe and fittings are manufactured in both inch and metric industry standards and conform to all relevant British and DIN specifications.

What is the Difference Between PVC and PVCU?

PVC is the common popular term used to describe any plastic made from the polyvinyl-chloride. The "U" part of PVCU denotes that it is Un-plasticised and so has not had a plasticiser added to it to make it soft (eg: for tarpaulins) - so, more correctly, any rigid PVC product should be termed UPVC or PVCU. Most people, however, just call it PVC.

Is PVC (PVCU) Pipe Safe for Drinking Water?

Most countries have their own standards and testing systems for approval of items for use in potable water supplies. In the UK, products are tested by independent laboratories and then the results are submitted for WRAS approval (other such standards include NSF in USA, KIWA in Europe). All our PVC pipe and fittings are WRAS approved.

Is PVC (PVCU) Pipe Food Safe?

Food safety of a material is a very generic term as it depends what the food is. The WRAS approval shows that it is safe for drinking water, and this would also apply to most foodstuffs. For highly concentrated aggressive or oily ingredients, however, the chemical resistance table should be checked.

Is PVC Pipe Safe for My Marine Aquarium?

WRAS approved PVC pipe is ideal for aquariums as it does not leach anything into the water. Care should be taken during the construction of the pipe system and at least 24 hours allowed for the cement to properly cure. A new pipe system should always be flushed with non-aquarium water first to remove any residues from the cement curing process.

How Do I Decide What Size of Pipe to Use?

Deciding what size to use for your pipe system can be tricky. Get the pipe size too small, and you either won't achieve the required flow rates or you will have to use more energy pumping; get the size too big and you run the risk of settlement of solids in the pipe line as a result of very low flow, as well as spending more on your PVC pipe system than you needed to.

Industrial Uses for PVC Pipe

PVC pipe and fittings are suited to many applications. They are probably the most widely used of all plastic pipe systems in industrial applications and you will find them in the water treatment, swimming pool, cooling, heating, electroplating chemical and process industries to name but a few.

Agricultural Uses for PVC Pipe

PVC (PVCU) pipe systems are widely used in agriculture and horticulture for drip and spray irrigation of glasshouses and polytunnels, farm slurry handling systems and also for water supply around animal husbandry units. Many on farm biogas systems also use PVC pipe for waste and low pressure gas transfer.

Domestic Uses for PVC Pipe

PVC pipes find their way into many other non-industrial applications. You will often find them in lots of domestic locations where PVC is the top material of choice for ponds, hot tubs, pools, home irrigation systems and marine aquariums. PVC pipes are often confused with waste pipes. The sizes for sinks, baths, gutters etc. are a lighter weight plastic as they do not need to handle pressure and are not compatible with pressure pipe.

Specifications
Specification
PVC Pipe Operating Temperature PVC pipe has a recommended operating temperature of 0 - 60 degrees centigrade (32 - 140°F). It should always be borne in mind that the pressure rating of a PVCU pipe drops with rising temperature.
Connection of PVC Pipe PVC pipe is connected either by solvent cement welding or threading. Solvent welding, the most common method, involves cleaning and then painting a cement onto the pipe and socket, before pushing together to make a permanent bond. Threading PVCU pipe involves using a thread sealant like PTFE tape, winding it round the male part of the thread and then screwing together. Threading of UPVC pipe is more likely to result in leaks than solvent welding. See our video on How to solvent weld PVC Pipe. If you do find a leak in a joint that you have made, it may require the section of pipe to be cut out and replaced. Some fitters find that if they can introduce a small vacuum to the pipe system, they can paint solvent cement around where the leak is and it will draw the cement in a seal the leak.
Abrasion Resistance of PVC Pipe PVC has a good abrasion resistance but not as good as ABS pipe.
PVC Pipe Rigidity PVC pipe is rigid and is not designed to be flexible. It has little or no flexibility especially in larger sizes.
Electrostatic Qualities If the PVC pipe is used for air or blown particles, the pipe wall can build up static electricity which can arc to nearby earthed objects and become a fire hazard or health and safety issue for pipe workers. It is generally recommended that PVC is not used for air. If PVCU pipe is used in such an instance, areas being worked on should be sprayed with a 50/50 detergent solution, which will prevent shocks to the workers.
Toxicity of PVC Pipe The WRAS approval of our PVC pipe and fittings means that they have been tested as safe for drinking water. PVCU pipe is non-toxic.
Food Safety Food safety is a very complicated term. As to whether PVC pipe is food safe depends very much on the type of food and the concentration of the ingredients. Although our PVC pipe is WRAS approved for drinking water, the chemical resistance data (below) should be checked to ensure food safety.
Chemical resistance profile Good with most acids, alkalis and salts but PVC pipe is poor with aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons. You can find more information on our PVC Pipe Chemical Compatibility Chart. If you unsure about a chemical you are using, it is best to ring us and we will be happy to advise and find a solution for you.
Pipe Clip Spacing Correct spacing of pipe clips is essential in PVC pipe systems to ensure there is no undue stress on the pipe. For recommended measurements see the Pipe Clip Spacings Table.
PVC Pipe Dimensions The dimensions of our pipe and fittings conform to BS and DIN Standards. See Imperial PVC Pipe Dimension Tables and Metric PVC Pipe Dimension Tables for more information.
Pressure De-rating of PVC Pipe As temperature increases, the pressure rating of the pipe decreases. See Pressure Derating Table for how to calculate.

Video: How to Solvent Weld PVC Pipe

Watch:
How PVC Pipe and Fittings Fit Together (1 min)

Plastic Pipe and fittings can be subdivided into two main categories, imperial (inch sizes) and metric:

Imperial

These PVC pipe and fittings are typically found in North America and the UK. They use a measurement, denoted in inches, which is based on the "approximate bore" (also referred to as the "nominal bore") of the PVCU pipe. For example, a 2" PVC pipe will have a "nominal bore" of 2 inches, but the likelihood is that nothing on the plastic piping system will measure exactly 2 inches!

The outside diameter of a plastic PVC pipe is the one which is 100% consistent and the one which is controlled along its length during manufacture. During the extrusion manufacture process of PVC pipe, the soft plastic tube passes through a temperature-controlled cooling bath. As plastic shrinks as it cools, only one dimension of the PVC pipe, the inner or the outer, can be accurately controlled. The option is made to control the outside diameter of the pipe so that when fitting a PVC pipe into a PVC fitting, the pipe will always be a good fit. The wall thickness of PVC pipe changes with the pressure rating (it is thicker for high pressure pipe and thinner for low pressure pipe), but the outside diameter must always measure the same so that the pipe and fittings will marry up together properly.

This left the original PVC pipe design engineers with a problem. They were used to doing their calculations for flow based on the inside diameter of a pipe, as this governed the flow and head-loss characteristics. PVC pipe, however, was manufactured with a fixed outside diameter. In order to find a solution, they set out a range of standards which ensured that if a pipework engineer was doing his calculations, a 2" pipe would have a bore of approximately 2", which would make his calculations easier. What that meant, was that the outside diameter of a 2" pipe would have to be quite a bit larger, as it had to be ensured that, even with the highest-pressure rating of pipe (with the thickest wall), the inside diameter was still in the region of 2". In fact, if we take our 2" PVC pipe as an example, all standard 2" PVC pipe has an internal diameter of greater than 2", which means that all flow calculations err on the side of safety. The exception to this is very thick-walled pipe, such as Schedule 120 PVC pipe, which is designed for very high-pressure applications and in particular threading.

As a result, the standard outside diameter of 2" PVC pipe ended up at 60.3mm, which is 2.37". Rather confusingly, this then meant that 1 1/2" PVC pipe, like all imperial pipe, also has a larger standard outside diameter than 1 1/2", and this measurement ended up at 48.3mm (or 1.9") - which is almost 2"!

Imperial PVC Pipe Dimensions

Our standard 1/2" to 4" imperial PVCU pipe is supplied in 5m lengths with plain ends. Other sizes are supplied in 6m lengths, also with plain ends. Class 7 PVC pipe is supplied in 3m lengths. The table below shows the different wall thicknesses and internal bores.

Class C PVC Pipe, 9 bar Class E PVC Pipe, 15 bar Class 7 PVC Pipe for Threading
Pipe Size Outside Diameter (mm) Internal Diameter (mm) Wall Thickness (mm) Internal Diameter (mm) Wall Thickness (mm) Internal Diameter (mm) Wall Thickness (mm)
1/2 inch 21.4 - - 18 1.7 14 3.7
3/4 inch 26.7 - - 22.9 1.9 18.9 3.9
1 inch 33.4 - - 29 2.2 24.4 4.5
1 1/4 inch 42.2 37.8 2.2 36.8 2.7 32.6 4.8
1 1/2 inch 48.3 43.3 2.5 42.1 3.1 38.1 5.1
2 inch 60.3 55.3 2.5 52.5 3.9 49.3 5.5
2 1/2 inch 75.2 68 3.6 64 5.6 - -
3 inch 88.9 81.9 3.5 77.5 5.7 - -
4 inch 114.3 105.3 4.5 99.7 7.3 - -
6 inch 168.3 155.1 6.6 144.1 12.1 - -
8 inch 219.1 203.5 7.8 190.9 14.1 - -
Imperial Pipe Sizes
Metric

The metric PVC pipe and fitting system was developed much later than the imperial PVC pipe and fitting system (above). It was also developed, some would say, with a bit more sense. Like the imperial pipe and fittings, the controlled diameter of the PVC pipe during manufacture is still the outside diameter, and so this remains consistent throughout different pressure ratings. However, unlike the inch sizes of PVC pipe, the outside diameter of the pipe is the stated diameter of the pipe. So, a 63mm PVCU pipe will always measure 63mm on the outside diameter, a 32mm PVCU pipe will measure 32mm on the outside diameter etc. etc.

The bore of mm sizes of PVC pipe varies with the pressure rating. A higher-pressure rating means a thicker tube wall and so a smaller internal diameter.

As mentioned above, getting the correct size of PVC pipe can sometimes be a challenge. To avoid confusion, you should ALWAYS measure your PVC pipe in millimetres and not in inches.

If you are at all unsure about which is the correct pipe size for you, it is always best to call us and we will help you find the best solution for your application.

Metric PVC Pipe Dimensions

Our metric PVC pipe is supplied in 5m lengths with a socket moulded on the end. The exception to this is 16mm pipe, which is plain ended 5m lengths, and sizes of 225mm and over, which are also plain ended but in 6m lengths.

10 Bar PVC Pipe 16 Bar PVC Pipe
Pipe Size Outside Diameter (mm) Internal Diameter (mm) Wall Thickness (mm) Internal Diameter (mm) Wall Thickness (mm)
16mm 16 13.0 1.5 - -
20mm 20 18.0 1.0 17 1.5
25mm 25 22.5 1.25 21.2 1.9
32mm 32 28.4 1.8 27.2 2.4
40mm 40 36.2 1.9 34 3.0
50mm 50 45.2 2.4 42.6 3.7
63mm 63 57 3.0 53.6 4.7
75mm 75 67.8 3.6 63.8 5.6
90mm 90 81.4 4.3 76.6 6.7
110mm 110 101.6 4.2 96.8 6.6
125mm 125 115.4 4.8 110.2 7.4
140mm 140 129.2 5.4 123.4 8.3
160mm 160 147.6 6.2 141 9.5
200mm 200 184.6 7.7 176.2 11.9
225mm 225 207.8 8.6 198.2 13.4
250mm 250 230.8 9.6 220.4 14.8
315mm 315 290.8 12.1 277.6 18.7
Metric Pipe Sizes
PVC Pipe Pressure Derating Table

The pressure rating of PVC pipe reduces with increasing temperature. Multiply the pressure rating of the PVC pipe by the ′De-Rating Multiple′ to get the actual pressure rating at that operating temperature. For example, a 9 bar pipe operating at 30°C will be 9 x 0.8 = 7.2bar.

Temperature de-Rating Multiple
≤20°C 1.00
30°C 0.80
40°C 0.58
50°C 0.39
60° 0.22
≥60°C Not recommended

Watch:
Pressure Derating Multiples (2 mins)

Pipe Clip Spacing for PVC Pipe

These spacings between pipe clips are given on the assumption that the PVC pipe is carrying water at 20°C and 40°C. For lighter loads, the spacing could be extended, and for heavier loads, the pipe clips could be positioned closer together. Be sure to provide additional support either side of elbows, bends and in sections of PVC pipe with heavy items such as valves, flange sets etc. At 60°C, continuous support is necessary.

Pipe Size Spacing (m) at 20°C Spacing (m) at 40°C
⅜" / 16mm 0.7 0.6
½" / 20mm 0.8 0.7
¾" / 25mm 0.9 0.7
1" / 32mm 1.0 0.8
1 ¼" / 40mm 1.1 0.9
1 ½" / 50mm 1.2 1.0
2" / 63mm 1.3 1.1
2 ½" / 75mm 1.4 1.2
3" / 90mm 1.6 1.3
4" / 110mm 1.8 1.5
- / 125mm 1.9 1.6
5" / 140mm 2.1 1.7
6" / 160mm 2.2 1.8
8" / 200mm 2.5 2.0
- / 225mm 2.6 2.1
10" / 250mm 2.8 2.3
12" / 315mm 3.0 2.5

Watch:
How Close Together Do Your Pipe Clips Need to Be? (4 mins)

Chemical Compatibility Chart

Ratings are given in terms of the suitability of PVCU pipe to carry a specific chemical. For some chemicals no reliable data is available and so no data is given.

Please note the following:

  • The effect of any chemical on PVC pipe systems may be dependent on factors such as temperature, pressure, concentrations and abrasiveness. Materials should be tested under actual conditions to determine the suitability for a specific application.
  • This information has been supplied to Plastic Pipe Shop Ltd by its suppliers and from other reputable sources. The information should only be used as a guide.
  • The ratings for each chemical are based on a period of 48-hour exposure of the PVC pipe.
  • Plastic Pipe Shop Ltd does not guarantee (neither express or implied) that this information is accurate or complete. Further Plastic Pipe Shop Ltd does not by way of this information make any recommendation that any material is suitable for any purpose.

Chemical Name Resistance Level
Acetaldehyde Unsuitable
Acetamide Unsuitable
Acetate Solvent Unsuitable
Acetic Acid Unsuitable
Acetic Acid 20% Unsuitable
Acetic Acid 80% Poor
Acetic Acid, Glacial Unsuitable
Acetic Anhydride Unsuitable
Acetone Unsuitable
Acetyl Bromide Unsuitable
Acetyl Chloride (dry) Poor
Acetylene Excellent up to 22°C
Acrylonitrile Good up to 22°C
Adipic Acid Excellent up to 48°C
Alcohols:Amyl Excellent up to 48°C
Alcohols:Benzyl Unsuitable
Alcohols:Butyl Excellent up to 48°C
Alcohols:Diacetone Good up to 22°C
Alcohols:Ethyl Poor
Alcohols:Hexyl Excellent up to 48°C
Alcohols:Isobutyl Excellent up to 22°C
Alcohols:Isopropyl Excellent up to 22°C
Alcohols:Methyl Excellent up to 22°C
Alcohols:Octyl No Data
Alcohols:Propyl Excellent up to 22°C
Aluminum Chloride Excellent up to 48°C
Aluminum Chloride 20% Excellent up to 22°C
Aluminum Fluoride Excellent up to 48°C
Aluminum Hydroxide Excellent up to 48°C
Aluminum Nitrate Good up to 48°C
Aluminum Potassium Sulfate 10% Excellent up to 48°C
Aluminum Potassium Sulfate 100% Excellent up to 48°C
Aluminum Sulfate Excellent up to 48°C
Alums No Data
Amines Unsuitable
Ammonia 10% Good up to 22°C
Ammonia Nitrate Good
Ammonia, anhydrous Excellent up to 48°C
Ammonia, liquid Excellent up to 22°C
Ammonium Acetate Excellent
Ammonium Bifluoride Excellent up to 48°C
Ammonium Carbonate Excellent up to 48°C
Ammonium Caseinate No Data
Ammonium Chloride Excellent up to 48°C
Ammonium Hydroxide Excellent
Ammonium Nitrate Excellent up to 48°C
Ammonium Oxalate Excellent
Ammonium Persulfate Excellent up to 48°C
Ammonium Phosphate, Dibasic Excellent up to 48°C
Ammonium Phosphate, Monobasic Excellent
Ammonium Phosphate, Tribasic Excellent
Ammonium Sulfate Excellent up to 48°C
Ammonium Sulfite Excellent up to 48°C
Ammonium Thiosulfate No Data
Amyl Acetate Unsuitable
Amyl Alcohol Excellent up to 48°C
Amyl Chloride Unsuitable
Aniline Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher)
Aniline Hydrochloride Good up to 48°C
Antifreeze Excellent
Antimony Trichloride Excellent up to 48°C
Aqua Regia (80% HCl, 20% HNO3) Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher)
Arochlor 1248 No Data
Aromatic Hydrocarbons Unsuitable
Arsenic Acid Excellent up to 22°C
Arsenic Salts Excellent
Asphalt Excellent up to 48°C
Barium Carbonate Excellent up to 48°C
Barium Chloride Excellent up to 22°C
Barium Cyanide Unsuitable
Barium Hydroxide Excellent up to 48°C
Barium Nitrate Excellent
Barium Sulfate Good up to 22°C
Barium Sulfide Excellent up to 48°C
Beer Excellent up to 48°C
Beet Sugar Liquids Excellent up to 48°C
Benzaldehyde Unsuitable
Benzene Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher)
Benzene Sulfonic Acid Excellent
Benzoic Acid Excellent
Benzol No Data
Benzonitrile No Data
Benzyl Chloride No Data
Bleaching Liquors Excellent up to 22°C
Borax (Sodium Borate) Excellent up to 22°C
Boric Acid Excellent up to 48°C
Brewery Slop No Data
Bromine Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher)
Butadiene Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher)
Butane Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher)
Butanol (Butyl Alcohol) Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher)
Butter No Data
Buttermilk Excellent up to 22°C
Butyl Amine Unsuitable
Butyl Ether Excellent up to 48°C
Butyl Phthalate No Data
Butylacetate Unsuitable
Butylene Excellent up to 22°C
Butyric Acid Good up to 22°C
Calcium Bisulfate No Data
Calcium Bisulfide Excellent up to 48°C
Calcium Bisulfite Good
Calcium Carbonate Excellent up to 48°C
Calcium Chlorate Good up to 48°C
Calcium Chloride Poor
Calcium Hydroxide Good
Calcium Hypochlorite Good up to 22°C
Calcium Nitrate Excellent up to 48°C
Calcium Oxide Good
Calcium Sulfate Good up to 48°C
Calgon No Data
Cane Juice Excellent up to 22°C
Carbolic Acid (Phenol) Unsuitable
Carbon Bisulfide Unsuitable
Carbon Dioxide (dry) Excellent up to 48°C
Carbon Dioxide (wet) Excellent up to 22°C
Carbon Disulfide Unsuitable
Carbon Monoxide Excellent up to 48°C
Carbon Tetrachloride Unsuitable
Carbon Tetrachloride (dry) No Data
Carbon Tetrachloride (wet) No Data
Carbonated Water Excellent
Carbonic Acid Excellent up to 48°C
Catsup Excellent
Chloric Acid Excellent up to 48°C
Chlorinated Glue No Data
Chlorine (dry) Unsuitable
Chlorine Water Excellent up to 48°C
Chlorine, Anhydrous Liquid Unsuitable
Chloroacetic Acid Good up to 22°C
Chlorobenzene (Mono) Unsuitable
Chlorobromomethane Unsuitable
Chloroform Unsuitable
Chlorosulfonic Acid Unsuitable
Chocolate Syrup No Data
Chromic Acid 10% Excellent up to 48°C
Chromic Acid 30% Excellent up to 22°C
Chromic Acid 5% Excellent up to 48°C
Chromic Acid 50% Unsuitable
Chromium Salts Excellent
Cider Excellent
Citric Acid Good up to 48°C
Citric Oils No Data
Cloroxr (Bleach) Excellent
Coffee No Data
Copper Chloride Excellent up to 22°C
Copper Cyanide Excellent up to 48°C
Copper Fluoborate Excellent
Copper Nitrate Excellent up to 48°C
Copper Sulfate >5% Excellent up to 48°C
Copper Sulfate 5% Excellent up to 48°C
Cream No Data
Cresols Unsuitable
Cresylic Acid Unsuitable
Cupric Acid Excellent up to 48°C
Cyanic Acid No Data
Cyclohexane Unsuitable
Cyclohexanone Unsuitable
Detergents Excellent
Diacetone Alcohol Unsuitable
Dichlorobenzene Unsuitable
Dichloroethane Unsuitable
Diesel Fuel Excellent up to 22°C
Diethyl Ether Unsuitable
Diethylamine Unsuitable
Diethylene Glycol Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher)
Dimethyl Aniline Unsuitable
Dimethyl Formamide Unsuitable
Diphenyl No Data
Diphenyl Oxide Unsuitable
Dyes Good
Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulfate) Excellent up to 22°C
Ethane Excellent up to 22°C
Ethanol Poor
Ethanolamine Unsuitable
Ether Unsuitable
Ethyl Acetate Unsuitable
Ethyl Benzoate Unsuitable
Ethyl Chloride Unsuitable
Ethyl Ether Unsuitable
Ethyl Sulfate No Data
Ethylene Bromide Unsuitable
Ethylene Chloride Unsuitable
Ethylene Chlorohydrin Unsuitable
Ethylene Diamine Unsuitable
Ethylene Dichloride Unsuitable
Ethylene Glycol Excellent
Ethylene Oxide Unsuitable
Fatty Acids Excellent
Ferric Chloride Excellent
Ferric Nitrate Excellent
Ferric Sulfate Excellent
Ferrous Chloride Excellent
Ferrous Sulfate Excellent
Fluoboric Acid Excellent
Fluorine Unsuitable
Fluosilicic Acid Unsuitable
Formaldehyde 100% Excellent
Formaldehyde 40% Excellent
Formic Acid Excellent up to 22°C
Freon 113 Good
Freon 12 Excellent up to 48°C
Freon 22 Excellent
Freon TF Good
Freonr 11 Excellent up to 48°C
Fruit Juice Excellent
Fuel Oils Excellent up to 48°C
Furan Resin Excellent
Furfural Unsuitable
Gallic Acid Good
Gasoline (high-aromatic) Excellent
Gasoline, leaded, ref. Good
Gasoline, unleaded Poor to 48°C (Unsuitable higher)
Gelatin Good
Glucose Excellent up to 48°C
Glue, P.V.A. Poor
Glycerin Excellent
Glycolic Acid Good
Gold Monocyanide No Data
Grape Juice Excellent
Grease Excellent
Heptane Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher)
Hexane Good up to 22°C
Honey Excellent
Hydraulic Oil (Petro) Excellent
Hydraulic Oil (Synthetic) Excellent
Hydrazine No Data
Hydrobromic Acid 100% Excellent up to 22°C
Hydrobromic Acid 20% Good up to 48°C
Hydrochloric Acid 100% Unsuitable
Hydrochloric Acid 20% Excellent up to 48°C
Hydrochloric Acid 37% Good
Hydrochloric Acid, Dry Gas Excellent up to 48°C
Hydrocyanic Acid Good
Hydrocyanic Acid (Gas 10%) Excellent
Hydrofluoric Acid 100% Poor
Hydrofluoric Acid 20% Good
Hydrofluoric Acid 50% Good up to 22°C
Hydrofluoric Acid 75% Poor
Hydrofluosilicic Acid 100% Good up to 22°C
Hydrofluosilicic Acid 20% Excellent up to 48°C
Hydrogen Gas Excellent up to 48°C
Hydrogen Peroxide 10% Excellent up to 22°C
Hydrogen Peroxide 100% Excellent
Hydrogen Peroxide 30% Excellent up to 22°C
Hydrogen Peroxide 50% Excellent up to 22°C
Hydrogen Sulfide (aqua) Good up to 22°C
Hydrogen Sulfide (dry) Excellent up to 48°C
Hydroquinone Good
Hydroxyacetic Acid 70% Unsuitable
Ink Poor
Iodine Excellent
Iodine (in alcohol) Excellent
Iodoform Excellent
Isooctane Excellent up to 22°C
Isopropyl Acetate Unsuitable
Isopropyl Ether Good
Isotane Excellent
Jet Fuel (JP3, JP4, JP5) Poor
Kerosene Excellent up to 48°C
Ketones Unsuitable
Lacquer Thinners Unsuitable
Lacquers Unsuitable
Lactic Acid Good up to 22°C
Lard Excellent up to 22°C
Latex No Data
Lead Acetate Good
Lead Nitrate Excellent up to 48°C
Lead Sulfamate Good
Ligroin No Data
Lime Good
Linoleic Acid Excellent up to 48°C
Lithium Chloride Unsuitable
Lithium Hydroxide No Data
Lubricants Good up to 48°C
Lye: Ca(OH)2 Calcium Hydroxide Good up to 48°C
Lye: KOH Potassium Hydroxide Good
Lye: NaOH Sodium Hydroxide Excellent
Magnesium Bisulfate Excellent up to 48°C
Magnesium Carbonate Good
Magnesium Chloride Good
Magnesium Hydroxide Excellent up to 48°C
Magnesium Nitrate Excellent up to 48°C
Magnesium Oxide No Data
Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salts) Excellent up to 22°C
Maleic Acid Excellent up to 48°C
Maleic Anhydride No Data
Malic Acid Excellent up to 48°C
Manganese Sulfate Poor
Mash No Data
Mayonnaise Unsuitable
Melamine Unsuitable
Mercuric Chloride (dilute) Excellent
Mercuric Cyanide Excellent
Mercurous Nitrate Excellent
Mercury Excellent
Methane Good
Methanol (Methyl Alcohol) Excellent up to 22°C
Methyl Acetate Unsuitable
Methyl Acetone Unsuitable
Methyl Acrylate No Data
Methyl Alcohol 10% Excellent up to 22°C
Methyl Bromide Unsuitable
Methyl Butyl Ketone Excellent
Methyl Cellosolve Unsuitable
Methyl Chloride Unsuitable
Methyl Dichloride Excellent
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Unsuitable
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide No Data
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone Unsuitable
Methyl Isopropyl Ketone Unsuitable
Methyl Methacrylate Excellent
Methylamine Unsuitable
Methylene Chloride Unsuitable
Milk Excellent up to 48°C
Mineral Spirits Excellent
Molasses Excellent
Monochloroacetic acid No Data
Monoethanolamine Unsuitable
Morpholine No Data
Motor oil Good
Mustard Good
Naphtha Excellent up to 22°C
Naphthalene Unsuitable
Natural Gas Excellent
Nickel Chloride Excellent
Nickel Nitrate Excellent
Nickel Sulfate Excellent
Nitrating Acid (15% HNO3) Unsuitable
Nitrating Acid (>15% H2SO4) Unsuitable
Nitrating Acid (S1% Acid) Unsuitable
Nitrating Acid (S15% H2SO4) Unsuitable
Nitric Acid (20%) Excellent up to 22°C
Nitric Acid (50%) Good up to 22°C
Nitric Acid (5-10%) Excellent up to 22°C
Nitric Acid (Concentrated) Good up to 22°C
Nitrobenzene Unsuitable
Nitrogen Fertilizer No Data
Nitromethane Good up to 48°C
Nitrous Acid Excellent
Nitrous Oxide Excellent
Oils:Aniline Unsuitable
Oils:Anise No Data
Oils:Bay No Data
Oils:Bone No Data
Oils:Castor Excellent
Oils:Cinnamon Unsuitable
Oils:Citric Good
Oils:Clove No Data
Oils:Coconut Excellent up to 22°C
Oils:Cod Liver Excellent up to 22°C
Oils:Corn Good
Oils:Cottonseed Good up to 48°C
Oils:Creosote Poor
Oils:Diesel Fuel (20, 30, 40, 50) Good
Oils:Fuel (1, 2, 3, 5A, 5B, 6) Excellent up to 48°C
Oils:Ginger No Data
Oils:Hydraulic Oil (Petro) Excellent
Oils:Hydraulic Oil (Synthetic) Excellent
Oils:Lemon No Data
Oils:Linseed Excellent up to 48°C
Oils:Mineral Good
Oils:Olive Poor
Oils:Orange Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher)
Oils:Palm Excellent
Oils:Peanut Excellent up to 22°C
Oils:Peppermint No Data
Oils:Pine Unsuitable
Oils:Rapeseed No Data
Oils:Rosin Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher)
Oils:Sesame Seed Excellent
Oils:Silicone Excellent
Oils:Soybean Excellent up to 22°C
Oils:Sperm (whale) No Data
Oils:Tanning No Data
Oils:Transformer Good
Oils:Turbine Excellent up to 22°C
Oleic Acid Poor to 48°C (Unsuitable higher)
Oleum 100% Unsuitable
Oleum 25% Unsuitable
Oxalic Acid (cold) Good
Ozone Good
Palmitic Acid Good up to 22°C
Paraffin Good
Pentane Excellent
Perchloric Acid Poor
Perchloroethylene Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher)
Petrolatum Good
Petroleum No Data
Phenol (10%) Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher)
Phenol (Carbolic Acid) Unsuitable
Phosphoric Acid (>40%) Good
Phosphoric Acid (crude) Good up to 48°C
Phosphoric Acid (molten) Unsuitable
Phosphoric Acid (S40%) Good
Phosphoric Acid Anhydride No Data
Phosphorus Excellent up to 22°C
Phosphorus Trichloride Unsuitable
Photographic Developer Excellent
Photographic Solutions Excellent
Phthalic Acid No Data
Phthalic Anhydride Unsuitable
Picric Acid Unsuitable
Plating Antimony 130°F Excellent
Plating Arsenic 110°F Excellent
Plating Brass :High-Speed Brass Bath 110°F Excellent
Plating Brass :Regular Brass Bath 100°F Excellent
Plating Bronze :Cu-Cd Bronze Bath R.T. Excellent
Plating Bronze :Cu-Sn Bronze Bath 160°F Unsuitable
Plating Bronze :Cu-Zn Bronze Bath 100°F Excellent
Plating Cadmium :Cyanide Bath 90°F Excellent
Plating Cadmium :Fluoborate Bath 100°F Excellent
Plating Chromium :Barrel Chrome Bath 95°F Excellent
Plating Chromium :Black Chrome Bath 115°F Excellent
Plating Chromium :Chromic-Sulfuric Bath 130°F Excellent
Plating Chromium :Fluoride Bath 130°F Excellent
Plating Chromium :Fluosilicate Bath 95°F Excellent
Plating Copper (Acid):Copper Fluoborate Bath 120°F Excellent
Plating Copper (Acid):Copper Sulfate Bath R.T. Excellent
Plating Copper (Cyanide):Copper Strike Bath 120°F Excellent
Plating Copper (Cyanide):High-Speed Bath 180°F Unsuitable
Plating Copper (Cyanide):Rochelle Salt Bath 150°F Unsuitable
Plating Copper (Misc):Copper (Electroless) Excellent
Plating Copper (Misc):Copper Pyrophosphate Excellent
Plating Gold :Acid 75°F Excellent
Plating Gold :Cyanide 150°F Unsuitable
Plating Gold :Neutral 75°F Excellent
Plating Indium Sulfamate R.T. Excellent
Plating Iron :Ferrous Am Sulfate Bath 150°F Unsuitable
Plating Iron :Ferrous Chloride Bath 190°F Unsuitable
Plating Iron :Ferrous Sulfate Bath 150°F Unsuitable
Plating Iron :Fluoborate Bath 145°F Unsuitable
Plating Iron :Sulfamate 140°F Excellent
Plating Iron :Sulfate-Chloride Bath 160°F Unsuitable
Plating Lead Fluoborate Excellent
Plating Nickel :Electroless 200°F Unsuitable
Plating Nickel :Fluoborate 100-170°F Excellent
Plating Nickel :High-Chloride 130-160°F Unsuitable
Plating Nickel :Sulfamate 100-140°F Excellent
Plating Nickel :Watts Type 115-160°F Unsuitable
Plating Rhodium 120°F Excellent
Plating Silver 80-120°F Excellent
Plating Tin-Fluoborate 100°F Excellent
Plating Tin-Lead 100°F Excellent
Plating Zinc :Acid Chloride 140°F Excellent
Plating Zinc :Acid Fluoborate Bath R.T. Excellent
Plating Zinc :Acid Sulfate Bath 150°F Unsuitable
Plating Zinc :Alkaline Cyanide Bath R.T. Excellent
Potash (Potassium Carbonate) Excellent
Potassium Bicarbonate Excellent
Potassium Bromide Excellent
Potassium Chlorate Excellent
Potassium Chloride Excellent
Potassium Chromate Excellent
Potassium Cyanide Solutions Excellent
Potassium Dichromate Excellent
Potassium Ferricyanide Excellent
Potassium Ferrocyanide Excellent
Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash) Excellent up to 22°C
Potassium Hypochlorite Good up to 22°C
Potassium Iodide Excellent up to 48°C
Potassium Nitrate Excellent
Potassium Oxalate No Data
Potassium Permanganate Excellent up to 22°C
Potassium Sulfate Excellent up to 48°C
Potassium Sulfide Excellent up to 48°C
Propane (liquefied) Excellent up to 22°C
Propylene Good up to 22°C
Propylene Glycol Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher)
Pyridine Unsuitable
Pyrogallic Acid Excellent
Resorcinal Poor
Rosins Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher)
Rum Excellent
Rust Inhibitors No Data
Salad Dressings No Data
Salicylic Acid Good up to 22°C
Salt Brine (NaCl saturated) Excellent
Sea Water Excellent up to 48°C
Shellac (Bleached) No Data
Shellac (Orange) No Data
Silicone Excellent
Silver Bromide No Data
Silver Nitrate Excellent up to 22°C
Soap Solutions Excellent
Soda Ash (see Sodium Carbonate) Excellent
Sodium Acetate Good up to 22°C
Sodium Aluminate No Data
Sodium Benzoate Good up to 22°C
Sodium Bicarbonate Excellent up to 48°C
Sodium Bisulfate Excellent up to 48°C
Sodium Bisulfite Excellent up to 48°C
Sodium Borate (Borax) Excellent up to 48°C
Sodium Bromide Good up to 48°C
Sodium Carbonate Excellent up to 48°C
Sodium Chlorate Excellent up to 22°C
Sodium Chloride Excellent up to 48°C
Sodium Chromate No Data
Sodium Cyanide Excellent up to 48°C
Sodium Ferrocyanide Excellent
Sodium Fluoride Excellent up to 48°C
Sodium Hydrosulfite Poor
Sodium Hydroxide (20%) Excellent
Sodium Hydroxide (50%) Excellent
Sodium Hydroxide (80%) Excellent
Sodium Hypochlorite (<20%) Excellent
Sodium Hypochlorite (100%) Good
Sodium Hyposulfate No Data
Sodium Metaphosphate Excellent
Sodium Metasilicate Excellent
Sodium Nitrate Excellent up to 48°C
Sodium Perborate Excellent up to 48°C
Sodium Peroxide Good up to 48°C
Sodium Polyphosphate Excellent up to 22°C
Sodium Silicate Excellent up to 48°C
Sodium Sulfate Excellent up to 48°C
Sodium Sulfide Excellent up to 48°C
Sodium Sulfite Excellent up to 48°C
Sodium Tetraborate Excellent up to 48°C
Sodium Thiosulfate (hypo) Excellent up to 48°C
Sorghum No Data
Soy Sauce No Data
Stannic Chloride Excellent up to 48°C
Stannic Fluoborate No Data
Stannous Chloride Excellent up to 22°C
Starch Excellent
Stearic Acid Good up to 48°C
Stoddard Solvent Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher)
Styrene Unsuitable
Sugar (Liquids) No Data
Sulfate (Liquors) Good
Sulfur Chloride Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher)
Sulfur Dioxide Excellent up to 22°C
Sulfur Dioxide (dry) Excellent up to 48°C
Sulfur Hexafluoride Good
Sulfur Trioxide Excellent
Sulfur Trioxide (dry) Excellent up to 22°C
Sulfuric Acid (<10%) Excellent up to 22°C
Sulfuric Acid (10-75%) Excellent up to 22°C
Sulfuric Acid (75-100%) Unsuitable
Sulfuric Acid (cold concentrated) Unsuitable
Sulfuric Acid (hot concentrated) Unsuitable
Sulfurous Acid Excellent up to 48°C
Sulfuryl Chloride No Data
Tallow No Data
Tannic Acid Excellent up to 22°C
Tanning Liquors Excellent up to 22°C
Tartaric Acid Excellent up to 22°C
Tetrachloroethane Poor
Tetrachloroethylene Unsuitable
Tetrahydrofuran Unsuitable
Tin Salts Excellent
Toluene (Toluol) Unsuitable
Tomato Juice Excellent
Trichloroacetic Acid Good
Trichloroethane Poor
Trichloroethylene Unsuitable
Trichloropropane No Data
Tricresylphosphate Unsuitable
Triethylamine Good
Trisodium Phosphate Excellent
Turpentine Unsuitable
Urea Unsuitable
Uric Acid Excellent
Urine Excellent
Varnish Unsuitable
Vegetable Juice No Data
Vinegar Good
Vinyl Acatate Unsuitable
Vinyl Chloride Unsuitable
Water, Acid, Mine Good
Water, Deionized Excellent up to 46°C
Water, Distilled Excellent up to 48°C
Water, Fresh Good
Water, Salt Good
Weed Killers No Data
Whey No Data
Whiskey & Wines Excellent up to 48°C
White Liquor (Pulp Mill) Excellent up to 48°C
White Water (Paper Mill) Excellent
Xylene Unsuitable
Zinc Chloride Good
Zinc Hydrosulfite No Data
Zinc Sulfate Excellent up to 48°C
PVC Pipe WRAS Approval Details

WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Service) is the body that grants approvals for components and materials to be used in drinking water (potable water) systems in the UK. There are two different types of approval: materials and product. PVC pipe and fittings fall into the materials section as they are static products. All our PVC components are covered under WRAS approvals and are re-tested every 5 years to ensure we, and our suppliers, still comply.

To attain WRAS compliance the materials are tested by soaking in a water bath for a period and then testing the water for chemical presence, which, if present, would indicate leaching from the plastics tested. This is carried out by a small number of very specialised laboratories. All our PVC testing is carried out by the Thames Water Quality Testing Laboratory in London.

Our own WRAS approvals include:

  • 1502537 - ERA Injection Moulded PVC-U Fittings
  • 1805536 - Eviclear clear extruded PVCU Pipe
  • 1805537 - Eviclear clear PVCU Fittings

We ensure that all our suppliers also carry the correct WRAS approvals for PVC pipe and fittings, and these include, but are not limited to:

  • 1111094 - Polypipe Effast Range
  • 1412524 - Weterings Plastics PVCU Pipe
  • 1412319 - Plimat PVC-U Fittings
  • 1405519, 1511504 and 1405518 - Griffon PVCU Solvent Cement Range

Where to Find or Buy PVC Pipe

We are often asked the question "where can I buy PVC pipe near me?" or maybe you are looking to find a same day collection or next day delivery. In the UK, PVC pipe is not available in DIY or most trade plumbing stores. Although there are a small handful of specialist pipe suppliers who stock a decent range of fittings, the best place to find PVCU pipe is through online suppliers. Online stockists like us tend to stock a far greater range of parts, pipes and tubes and can send them out by courier with a variety of different options including next working day, am (morning or pre-noon) or even same working day if you are desperate for them. Plastic Pipe Shop are one of the top UK suppliers and also one of the largest UK stockists of PVC pipe systems. Although >95% of our parts are sent out with carriers to all over the UK, we also operate a trade counter at our warehouses in Stirling. If you visit our warehouses, our staff will be happy to show you any parts and discuss your requirements and plans with you.

Thermal Expansion of PVC Pipe

Plastic pipe is much more prone to expansion and contraction with changes in temperature than metal pipes such as copper and steel.

In situations where there are long pipe lengths being installed, it is necessary to ensure that precautions are made to allow for contraction and expansion. A failure to consider this can result in the PVC pipe becoming stressed as it tries to expand or contract, but the installation will not allow it. By clipping the pipe hard, you will not stop the expansion or contraction, you will merely direct the forces of it to a different section of the pipe which can sometimes result in breakage of the pipe.

By following the points below, you can avoid issues with contraction and expansion on PVC pipe lengths of over 5m:

  • Use pipe clips that allow the pipe to slide through (not rubber lined types)
  • Ensure both ends of the pipe are not bolted hard to a wall or other stop point. The pipe needs somewhere to expand to
  • If your pipe is going to be exposed to extreme temperatures and sometimes lie empty or static, think about insulating your pipe
  • Be conscious of whether you are fitting your pipe in an unheated building during winter, or if the building is going to be warm or hot when completed, such as in some aquaculture and horticulture situations

The coefficient of linear expansion of PVC pipe is 7.8 x 10-5m/m.°C. This is nearly twice that of copper and three times that of mild steel. Using this value, a 20m length of pipe will expand 4mm with a 25°C rise. This may not sound a lot, but if the pipe is clipped hard at either end the expansion power has to go somewhere!

The calculation for this can be found at The Engineering Toolbox.

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